What is Safe Spectrum® Lighting?

Utilizing the knowledge gained from 50 years of research into the impact
of light on food, Promolux Lighting International has created Safe Spectrum® lighting
technology.

Safe Spectrum® reduces the levels of harmful wavelengths in the
invisible and visible spectra to minimize damage to foods displayed for
sale to the public. This results in improved food safety, reduced rates
of spoilage, and a visually attractive presentation.

Most food consumption is traced first to the distributor of such foods,
which include retail food and food service establishments.

Studies by food science institutes, universities,
and research laboratories have shown that radiation from retail lighting
has a damaging effect on food displays. For example, the top layers
of fish displayed on icebeds can be up to 25° F higher than the
fish at the bottom of the display. It is clear that this type of
temperature abuse is a definite food safety risk factor for retailers.

Retailers around the world are finding that
they can save over 30% of their shrinkage.

In addition to the damage caused by the physical heat radiated by infrared
wavelengths from retail light sources, different wavelengths of the visible
spectrum chemically react with food, oxidizing it and accelerating bacterial
growth and the development of harmful and poisonous substances. We will
present studies that show how light affects meat, dairy products, potatoes
and other produce, beer and wine, and other retail products.

Light sources impact food safety and shelf life. Safe Spectrum lamps made by
Promolux have been tested by research laboratories and universities, and have
been found to cause less damage through reduced radiation and less bacterial
growth, resulting in longer product shelf life and safer food.

Retailers around the world are finding through actual store tests that they
can save over 30% of their shrinkage in their seafood, meat, deli, and other
departments. This results in a very quick payback in reduced losses and also
in higher food safety, higher customer satisfaction, and better merchandising.

What types of fluorescent lamps are there?

There are several major types of fluorescent lamps in the market. We
can separate them by wattage and size differences as well as color rendering
differences. In terms of wattage and electrical specifications, we should
first note the industry standard identification numbers provided on the
lamp. Then note the length of the fluorescent tube and the type of contacts
at the ends. Also important is the tube thickness which determines if
it is a 1-1/2 inch diameter (T12) or a 1 inch diameter (T8) tube. In
some display cases 3/4 inch diameter (T6) tubes can be found.

Most T12 lamps are available in 24", 36", 48", 60", 72", and 96" lengths.
The endings of the tubes can be of three types: medium bi-pin (MBP),
single pin (SP) and recessed double contact (RDC). The medium bi-pin
end appears mostly in shorter length tubes of 4 foot length and shorter.

The single pin is most common in longer tubes of 4 foot and longer or
the very thin tubes like the T6. The recessed double contact (RDC) end
is found only in high output lamps which operate with a high current
output ballast for better starting in cold applications. Printed on all
fluorescent lamps are industry standard designations (e.g., F40 T12)
to identify the lamp type, size, wattage, diameter, etc. Simply match
this with the corresponding designation in the list of PROMOLUX lamps.

The second major difference is the color rendering properties and light
output of the tube which is measured by the Kelvin degree of temperature,
the color rendering index (CRI), and the XY co-ordinates which are often
described as cool white, daylight, warm white, natural white, etc.

The
following table shows examples of descriptions for lamp colors available
from other major manufacturers. As you can see, these manufacturers make
lamps that directly compete with one another, but not with PROMOLUX.
The PROMOLUX lamp design is unique in the lighting industry. PROMOLUX will
provide an excellent improvement in both merchandise appearance and shelf
life of any display that currently uses lamps like these and others.